The WAG smile that says my hat-trick hitting star Theo Walcott is a national hero

Thursday 11 September 2008 10:03 BST

Theo Walcott's girlfriend Melanie Slade was all smiles this morning - hours after watching her boyfriend score a famous hat-trick for England.

The 19-year-old student did not accompany the teenage striker to Croatia for last night's World Cup qualifier.

Instead, this morning she left her parents' Southampton home as usual and headed for college, where she is studying to be a physiotherapist, and by the afternoon the couple were reunited in London, where they spent the afternoon in Parliament Fields Hill.

One happy WAG: Theo Walcott, and and proud girlfriend Melanie, seen leaving her home in Southampton this morning after his stunning England appearance

Blonde hair and stunning good looks are about the only thing Mel has in common with her fellow WAGs. Last year she climbed 19,000ft Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa for charity.

Earlier this year she branded girls who chase footballers as 'wannabes' with 'no respect for themselves'.

She's no WAG: Student Melanie, seen with her dog this morning, is studying to be a physiotherapist

She's no WAG: Student Melanie, seen with her dog this morning, is studying to be a physiotherapist

She told FHM magazine that women who sleep with men just because they are footballers lacked self-respect.

'I hate the stereotype - the shopping all day long, the short dresses and massive sunglasses.

'I would never want to be associated with those women.

'The wannabes who are so desperate to sleep with a footballer have no respect for themselves, no ambition, nothing.

All smiles: Theo's proud mother Lynne Walcott leaves their home today

All smiles: Theo's proud mother Lynne Walcott leaves their home today

It has also emerged that Walcott's father predicted two years ago his son would score 'a few hat-tricks' for England.

Don Walcott's prophecy was fulfilled in startling fashion last night as the 19-year-old Arsenal winger scored his first, second and third goals for England in just 56 minutes.

The 4-1 victory in the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb now puts England on firm course to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.

Close ties: Theo Walcott with his father Don, mother Lynne and girlfriend Melanie

Close ties: Theo Walcott with his father Don, mother Lynne and girlfriend Melanie

It was at the last World Cup - to which Walcott travelled with the England squad but never played - that his father, a 47-year-old RAF civilian administrator, declared his son would have a great international career ahead of him.

'Theo is a superb footballer who will win many games for England, make a huge impression on young fans and score a few hat tricks,' Walcott senior said at the time, adding: 'His football will speak for itself and I suppose we have to let that happen in its own time.'

He shoots, he scores: Walcott kicks his third goal in Zagreb

He shoots, he scores: Walcott kicks his third goal in Zagreb

Two years on and Theo will wake up today to find himself branded the new 'Boy Wonder' after his astonishing display.

That he should have started the game in place of David Beckham - and wearing the prized number seven shirt - underlined his arrival as the new king on the block.

With his feet firmly on the ground, Theo, who was born in Stanmore, used his post-match interview to stress the importance of his family, including his father, once a top class sprinter, and mum Lynne, a midwife.

He and his girlfriend Melanie Slade, who is training to be a physiotherapist, are childhood sweethearts.

'My dad was here tonight which I'm so glad about,' said Walcott, who lives in a five-bedroom house in Hertfordshire with his parents.

'He would have died if he didn't see it. There won't be anyone else at home as my mum will be in bed. My family and friends have brought me up well, look after me and help keep my feet on the ground. That's what I’ve always been like and I won't change at all.'

At the Tower Tavern - one of a handful of pubs in central London showing the game broadcast by Setanta - fans walked out into the night chanting 'Theo, Theo, Theo.'

Earlier they had cheered him - 'I love you' screamed one supporter - when in the 85th minute he was substituted and replaced by Beckham. Tellingly, Beckham was booed as he took to the pitch.

'He is amazing,' declared Alex Gardiner, 22, a City financier and Arsenal fan. 'Theo stepped up to the plate. What he has done tonight it's hard to put into words. I watched the Andorra game in this pub and we were not cutting the mustard at all. Now this.'

Fellow Arsenal fan Rene Jarrett, 23, who works for Nestlé, said: 'The pressure was on him but he had his chance and he took it. Once he scored his first goal the confidence came. He must be worth £50 million now.'

Young pretender: Former number seven player David Beckham greets his substitute Walcott as he takes to the pitch

Young pretender: Former number seven player David Beckham greets his substitute Walcott as he takes to the pitch

WALCOTT V BECKHAM

The king is dead, long live the king. Theo Walcott started in place of David Beckham last night, wearing the number seven shirt Beckham had long made his own. Here's how they measure up:

THEO WALCOTTAge: 19Car: VW GolfHome: Five-bedroom villa in Hertfordshire he shares with his parentsWages: £20,000 a weekWag: Melanie Slade, trainee physiotherapist and girl next door, who scored two Bs and a C at A-levelWhat's he worth: A lot more after last night but currently does not feature on any rich listsStar quality: He made the front cover of Hello! with Melanie; she posed for men's magazine Arena. Father Don once appeared on Ready Steady Cook with Andy Murray's mum Judy.

DAVID BECKHAMAge: 33Cars: Aston Martin, Bentley, Porsche and Ferrari among othersHomes: Beckingham Palace, Hertfordshire, worth £7.5 million and £11 million villa in Beverly HillsWages: reported £25 million a year with LA GalaxyWag: Victoria Beckham, pop singer, fashion designer and mother of three sons. Not necessarily academic but 'drop dead' shrewdWhat's he worth: £125 million, according to the Sunday Times Rich ListStar quality: Quite simply, he is the most famous sportsman on the planet. His wife only needs a new haircut to make front page news.